Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-03-17
the people were sheltered. 1t was diff
ferent with us in the FREELY.

1
We got on very well for while. The
breeze was rather behind US, and sent
us dashing along beautifully BY de-
grees, however, the yacht began TO
plunge deeper and deeper. The sea
got up, and broke on board frequently.
didn't care as was accustomed to
salt water. and minded the boy.
Lady Paddock came and stood by me.
II think Capt Armstrong was right.
Mrs, Farmer" she said II heard the
master tell Mr. Hemphill that the wind
was veering to the southwest. At that
moment Mr.. Hemphill came up with
Mrs. Cardewe, who was glad TO lie
back in the stern of the yacht and be
covered with shawls and tarpaulins.
She looked wretched.
Il think that it will be more prudent
to run for Weymouth at once" said
Mr.. Hemphill. "lf we put into Lul-
worth-supposing we can make the en-
trance, which is doCbtful-we can get
| no real accommodation. Now at Wey-
mouth we can, and there are the train
and the telegraph, plenty of shops, and
| so on
The ladies agreed to this suggestion,
and the yacht was headed for Portland
Bill. Even Lady Paddock had had
enough of the sea waters before sunset.
The waves dashed in and forced us 90
below. The wind rose, as any one who
remembers that afternoon in Septem-
| Der will recollect. 1t got fierce by b
o'clock and pos lively bo'storous by 6.
Great waves rolled up from the south
west, and we plunged fcarfully into the
sea. We had only a jib on her, and two
reefs aud the maisail were taken IN.
Nevertheless we plunged on to wind
ward, for the captain did not dare to
turn now and "sc,ld" We tackled and
tackled, beating on until the sun went
| down. and we did not seem to be much
nearer Weymouth or Portland roads,
for which we were aiming. From Port
land island the great Chest! beach, l
knew, and SO did all the sailors, extend
ed right away TO Bridgeport, where the
mighty Portland stones have dwindled
through all shapes and sizes of pebble
to sand and gravel; and the biggest al
ways the highest up the bank.
The captain, or sailingmaster, was
brave enough. but anxious; the crew
were steady; the gentlemen on board
were serious. the ladies very i'll and
careless of danger. The little heir was
fast asleep in my arms, and as we keel
ed over and listened to the slapping and
dashing of the waves outside, and the
rush of water across the deck, l prayed
earnestly and wondered whether we
should ever see Cardewe manor again.
Ill.
1t was evening and We were past
Portland Bill. The captain said we
must 20 about and run in on the tide
to make all the leeway up. The wind
was dead on shore. The waves beat
high on Chesil bank, and if l could do
some fine writing could tell you about
the curling tops of the masses of water
which poured on the shingle. But that
was nothing to next days sea. That l
shall never forget
The FREELY had been sighted and con
siderable anxiety had been expressed
concerning her. Little did | think that
among the people who were watchin Q
us were Charley and Capt. Armstrong
in fear for the result. Charley told me
afterward that the captain was as coo
as ever, and apparently afraid of getting
wet; so he hired cab and drove down
through Weymouth to the island, leav'
ing Mr. and Mrs Maytyn Henry at the
hotel to receive the party if they ran
alongside the pier safely.
The evening was deepening into ;
clustering and stormy night as Charlie,
and Capt. Armstrong drove to Port
land. and our yacht was driven on
We were still below, when the easie
motion of the yacht, consequent on on
running before the wind, induced us t.
90 on deck. Behind us was limtless
tumbling sea, dark clouds, and ruin
in front the Chesil bank, the ISLAM
with its quarries and its prisoners, ant
the smooth water of the road beyond
In an hour or so we should be ridin,
alongside the pier OF in the harbor o
pulling ashore to catch the train home
So we said.
But how is this? We are not goin
, Ar the harbor direct! Yes, we are
what is that behind us?-a roar, then
flash and another roar. Blow, blow goo
wind, ere the storm ovcrtakes us, O
we shall fair badly. Flap! flap! TIL
} wind has suddenly failed us. 1--WE ar
T in the very center of little cyclone!
D So said the captain.
a Bear hand, men; we shall be take
aback in minute"' shouted the mas
: ter, rushing to the tiller ''Furl, all
up with her-leave the jb alone, Gle
!. up the mainsail, smartn
l No time to lose. Flap! Boom come
the wind from the northwest with
Il rush. The Fire fly keels over like to-
!; the jib strains. up with the helm!
a The canvas splits with fearful, rem
s ing, ripping report, and the yacl
n drives down upon Portland.
STEADY, men! All hands out of Il
is dinghy Remember the women al
4 the child! Bend the foresail. Let h
l. rum roared the master. The vac
,r paid of, and, turning her back on Il
IF sea, rushed down channel-alas! into
le tidc-eddy, which sucked her under Il
rocks of Portland island as the wiz
y veered again.
D, The soldiers at the Verne by ii
s time were crowded upon the cliffs to S
I'd the wreck" Some shouted for rope
at some for rockets. but neither we
forthcoming. The yacht drove in, a
il in five minutes ran between two rocl
st where 0he wind having chopped aga
a to the southwesO she remained ste
m to sea-frequently swept by the wave